Brief Agriculture Biosecurity Risks: State Perspectives

Agricultural biosecurity refers to the strategic actions taken to protect the food and agriculture system from biological threats, such as infectious diseases, invasive pests and harmful contaminants. Strong biosecurity practices help maintain food supply stability, safeguard food security, support rural and agricultural economies, and protect overall public health.

When biosecurity is compromised, the impacts can be far-reaching—including disruptions to food production, food shortages, economic losses in key sectors, public health challenges, and long-term environmental damage. Recent events—such as outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the spread of invasive plant pathogens, and water contamination from agricultural runoff—have underscored the importance of proactive and coordinated policy responses at the state level. These risks are often exacerbated by extreme weather, the movement of goods and people through global trade, and growing demands on land and water resources.

States play an important role in preparing for, responding to, and mitigating the impacts of biosecurity challenges. This brief focuses on three priority areas where states are actively engaged:

• Preventing and managing animal disease outbreaks.
• Monitoring and protecting crops from plant disease.
• Addressing water-related biosecurity risks, including wastewater use and agricultural runoff.

Each section includes policy considerations and examples of how states are responding with innovative and practical solutions.

Animal Disease and Food Security

Threats to Livestock and Poultry

Highly contagious animal diseases such as HPAI, foot-and-mouth disease, and African swine fever pose serious threats to the nation’s livestock and poultry industries. These diseases can spread rapidly, causing significant economic losses through animal mortality, trade restrictions, and market disruptions. Outbreaks not only affect producers’ livelihoods but also disrupt the broader food supply chain, potentially resulting in reduced availability of meat and poultry and increased consumer prices. Preventive measures typically include vaccination, disease surveillance programs and on-farm biosecurity protocols aimed at reducing transmission.

Public Health Risks and Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, are illnesses that can spread between animals and humans. They are caused by germs, like viruses or bacteria, that spread between animals and humans, sometimes through direct contact, contaminated environments, or shared food and water sources. Animal diseases not only threaten agricultural production but can also pose risks when diseases jump from animals to humans. Viruses such as avian influenza and swine flu have demonstrated the potential to infect humans, particularly for individuals in close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

These risks highlight the importance of integrating public health considerations into agricultural biosecurity planning. Effective monitoring and early detection of zoonoses are essential, and states are uniquely positioned to collaborate with federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track outbreaks, share data, and implement timely responses that protect both animal and human populations.

State Policy Actions and Considerations

To manage the risks of animal disease outbreaks, many states are:

• Investing in infrastructure, including state veterinary diagnostic laboratories and surveillance systems, to enhance preparedness and response.
• Implementing quarantine protocols and movement control measures to prevent the spread of disease across farms and borders during outbreaks.
• Supporting public-private partnerships that provide technical assistance, training and resources to producers to adopt effective prevention strategies.

Together, these measures may help build a resilient agricultural system capable of withstanding the growing risks of infectious animal diseases.

Several states have enacted legislation in recent years to enhance their authority and capacity to respond to animal disease threats. These actions include:

• Oklahoma HB 2301 (2020): Expanded the powers of the state veterinarian to issue emergency orders during outbreaks involving animals, including movement restrictions, required testing, and vaccination protocols for livestock and other affected species.
• Colorado HB 1264 (2023): Broadened the commissioner of agriculture’s authority to act during disease outbreaks and reinforced the role of state diagnostic laboratories in surveillance and response.
• Rhode Island SB 2751 (2022): Authorized the establishment of animal quarantine or control zones consistent with federal and state emergency response plans to limit the spread of suspected infectious or zoonotic diseases.
• Wyoming HB 93 (2024): Increased the reimbursement limit for producers affected by quarantine measures, helping to mitigate the financial impacts of disease containment efforts.

Crop Protection and Disease Monitoring

Major Plant Disease Threats

Plant diseases—including wheat rust, citrus greening and soybean rust—can impact crop yields, disrupt supply chains, and strain local economies. Factors like severe weather events, increased global trade and travel, and the introduction of invasive species contribute to the spread of plant diseases. In some regions, changing environmental conditions have also shifted the patterns of disease emergence and spread. As these challenges evolve, state policymakers and agriculture agencies are working to assess risks and support efforts to safeguard crop health and maintain stable food production.

Surveillance and Prevention Measures

Preventing the spread of plant diseases relies heavily on early detection and coordinated response. State-led monitoring initiatives, in collaboration with universities, federal and local agencies, help detect outbreaks early and enable timely interventions. Tools like quarantine zones, disease-resistant crop varieties and integrated pest management can limit transmission and manage plant health more sustainably. These efforts are strengthened through regular communication and data sharing across jurisdictions, helping ensure that plant health risks are identified and addressed as efficiently as possible.

State Policy Actions and Considerations

States are employing various approaches to support plant health, including:

• Providing incentives or technical assistance to help farmers adopt biosecurity measures and prevent disease introduction and spread.
• Strengthening interstate coordination to address cross-border pests and plant pathogens.
• Investing in research and development of disease-resistant crop varieties.

Recent state legislation aimed at improving crop protection and plant disease response includes:

• Tennessee SB 309 (2020): Expanded crop insurance coverage to include losses caused by disease, insect infestation, and other conditions beyond hail, offering broader protection against biological threats.
• California SB 453 (2022): Created the Agricultural Biosecurity Fund to support research through the California State University Agricultural Research Institute on best practices to mitigate the effects of infectious agents on crops and livestock.
• Hawaii HB 2546 (2024): Authorized the use of fine-meshed nets to protect plants from invasive species, with safeguards to avoid unintended impacts on pollinators and native wildlife.
• Utah HB 398 (2020): Expanded state authority to respond to plant pest emergencies, established a Plant Pest Fund and outlined procedures for emergency actions and cost recovery.

Water Security: Wastewater and Agricultural Runoff

Wastewater and Pathogen Risks

In some areas, treated wastewater is reused in agriculture, which can introduce biological risks to both plant and human health if not managed properly. Pathogens in inadequately treated water may affect crop health, contaminate water supplies, or create risks for livestock, farmworkers, and consumers. State regulations governing water reuse and treatment standards can mitigate these risks by establishing clear guidelines for how and when treated wastewater can be safely used in agriculture.

Agricultural Runoff and Biosecurity Implications

Agricultural runoff—comprising excess nutrients, pesticides, and livestock waste—can degrade water quality in both surface and groundwater systems. When these substances wash off fields during rain events or irrigation, the runoff can lead to issues such as harmful algal blooms, which may threaten aquatic ecosystems, drinking water supplies, and water for recreational use. Residues from antibiotics or other compounds may also contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, raising potential concerns for both ecological and public health.

State Policy Action and Considerations

States are advancing a range of strategies to manage agricultural runoff and protect water quality. These include:

• Supporting the adoption of precision agriculture techniques that help producers apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of excess runoff.
• Leveraging best management practices such as cover cropping, buffer strips, and nutrient management planning.
• Several jurisdictions are expanding water quality monitoring to track waterborne pathogens and other contaminants in agricultural areas, with some also implementing data-sharing protocols to support public health and environmental protection efforts.

State examples of varied approaches to address agricultural runoff and protect water quality include:

• Vermont SB 258 (2022): Directed the secretary of agriculture, food and markets to evaluate the effectiveness of the state’s required agricultural practices in addressing increased precipitation and nutrient runoff, with attention to soil health and water protection.
• Pennsylvania HB 1526 (2020): Established the Agriculture Linked Investment Program to incentivize farmers to implement best management practices such as nutrient management, manure management, and erosion control to reduce runoff into surface and groundwater.

Conclusion

Agricultural biosecurity remains a key area of focus for state legislators working to protect food systems, public health, and natural resources. As risks related to animal disease, plant pathogens, and water quality continue to evolve, states are exploring policies and practices to support prevention and response. Ongoing coordination among agriculture, public health, environmental, and emergency management agencies and partners play an essential role in these efforts. Continued attention to these challenges can help strengthen resilience across the agricultural sector and protect public health.